Ongoing benefit changes

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This advice applies across the UK.

Find out more about ongoing changes to the welfare system that may affect the financial situation of families with disabled children.

Universal Credit changes

Severe conditions criteria and changes to the health element

From April 2026, the amount of the Universal Credit health element (also known as the limited capability for work and work-related activity element or LCWRA element) will be reduced for many new claimants. They will see this payment cut from £423 to £217 per month. This lower payment is also being frozen and will not increase with inflation for a four-year period.

Existing claimants and those who are terminally ill will continue to receive the higher payment. New claimants can receive the higher payment if they meet new severe conditions criteria. Read more about what the welfare reforms mean for families.

Scrapping of the health element for under 22s

The cuts to the Universal Credit health element, set out above, will apply to new claimants who do not meet the severe conditions criteria, regardless of their age.

However, there is also a possibility that the government could scrap the Universal Credit health element altogether for under 22s. This decision is likely to be made in the coming months, but has not yet been confirmed.

Personal Independence Payment

The Government had made proposals to change the qualifying criteria for Personal Independence Payment. These changes are not now going ahead.

Sir Stephen Timms is carrying out a review of PIP and will report to the Government by autumn 2026.

Universal Credit migration

Universal Credit has replaced all claims for tax credits for people of working age. It has also replaced claims for Income Support and Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance and most claims for Housing Benefit.

All claimants of Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance are in the process of being migrated to Universal Credit. This process will be completed by the end of March 2026. Read more about moving onto Universal Credit from legacy benefits .

We are concerned that many families with disabled children will be worse off on Universal Credit over time.

Changes in Scotland

Introduction of new devolved disability and carers benefits in Scotland

The Scottish Government has introduced a package of new disability and carer’s benefits in Scotland.

This includes:

• The introduction of Child Disability Payment to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This process is now complete and all children in Scotland who were in receipt of DLA have now moved onto Child Disability Payment.
• The introduction of Adult Disability Payment to replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This process is now complete and all claimants of PIP in Scotland have now moved onto Adult Disability Payment.
• The introduction of Pension Age Disability Assistance to replace all new claims for Attendance Allowance.
• The introduction of Carer Support Payment to replace Carer’s Allowance. It is no longer possible to make a new claim for Carer’s Allowance in Scotland – you must claim Carer Support Payment instead. All existing claimants of Carer’s Allowance in Scotland are in the process of moving onto Carer Support Payment. If you are an existing claimant, Social Security Scotland will contact you. You do not need to take any other action.

Once all claimants have moved onto the new system, Social Security Scotland will be reviewing the criteria for these benefits.

Related information

Introduction to benefits

If you have a disabled child, or you are on a low-income or not working, you may be entitled to certain benefits…

Read more

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a new benefit for people of working age. It is paid both to people who are out of work…

Read more

Changes in circumstances

Certain changes in circumstances can mean that the benefits you receive for your disabled child or for your family might change.

Read more